Philips Hue app

After all Hue lights and Hue Bridge are installed and turned on, the next step is install Philips Hue app (available for iOS/Android) on your phone.

The app setup process is as easy as installing the Hue lights. It auto scan for your Hue Bridge and press the big button (push-link) on Hue Bridge, now your phone is connected to the Hue lighting system.

Next is adding your Hue lights via the app. Again, all Hue lights will be automatically detected. You also assign a room (living room, bed room, kitchen, toilet, etc) for each light.

One Home can have multiple Rooms.

One Room can has multiple Hue Lights.

Each Hue Light can assigned to only one room.

A Room setting allows you to control all Hue Lights in the space(Room) at once.

Home setting will apply to all Lights in the house.

Now you can control the lights via your phone. Magic!

How does Philips Hue light system works?

Philips Hue system is connected using a wireless mesh network named Zigbee:

Zigbee is a low-cost, low-power, wireless mesh network standard targeted at battery-powered devices in wireless control and monitoring applications.

Zigbee wireless signal does not interference with your WiFi signal. No worry if you stay in busy WiFi network neighborhood.

Note: Just like your phone, the Hue lighting system also receives system updates. It takes up to 1 hour (Zigbee is a slow wireless network) to install update and lights may briefly turn off while updating.

Control your Hue lights, anytime anywhere

Besides remotely control the Hue lights, you can also schedule the lights, set a timer, and routine — even when you are away from home.

Turns out you need to install 3rd party apps for Philips Hue. In the Hue app, you will find the “Apps we like” menu with list of apps that works with Philips Hue. Or, you can also search in iOS app store or Google Play Store for Hue apps. Most of them are free (with in-app purchase), others are premium (buy to install).

3rd party app installation is easy as 1-2-3:

Install the app

Launch the app and follow simple instruction (press the button on Hue Bridge)

Thoughts

Philips Hue lightning system is surprisingly easy to install by yourselves. No screw. No tool needed. No complicated network setup.

We have a good habit to turn off lights whenever we leave a room. For Philips Hue, the light switch has to be turned on all the time. You probably need some time to get used to drawing out phone every time for switching on/off lights.

The power of Philips Hue lightning system is its integration with other Smart Home Devices and 3rd party apps. With the supports, you could control Philips Hue with voice commands, sync Hue lights with your movies and music, and other possibilities made available by Philips Hue Developer Program.

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About The Author

Liew is believed to be the first full-time blogger in Malaysia since 2005. A former professional programmer and webmaster, Liew courageously made the jump from hobby blogging to blogging as a full-time, successful career. Today he enjoys working from home and spending time with his family.